On Saturday, Hampton Rovers suffered a second half fade out against the newly constituted Parkdale Vultures and were beaten by 58 points at Gerry Green Reserve.
Despite losing the toss and kicking against a four-goal wind, the Rovers peppered their goals early without much success. Carr and youngster Cam Christiansen were busy. At the first change the Rovers held a five-point lead and had won the quarter.
The Vultures kicked the first three goals of the second quarter and two of these came within a minute of each other. At this point the Rovers were clearly under pressure and the Vultures were ready to swoop. Goals to Steven Anderson, Ben Artz and then Artz again, stopped the flow. While Matt Lawrence was everywhere. At the main break the Rovers lead by nine points and the game was evenly poised.
The match changed dramatically after half time with the Vultures running game resulting in a five-goal quarter. While the Rovers trailed by 25 points at the last break, a strong finish for the visitors was not out of the question.
However, the final quarter was a repeat of the third as the Vultures piled on the goals and ran out easy winners 16.14.110 to the Rovers 7.10.52.
Best for the Rovers were Ben Artz and youngster Mark Devereaux with 29 and 26 possessions respectively, Adams, Woods and Carr.
Following the game, Rovers football manager Peter Blick said, ?While todays performance was disappointing, I know the lads will bounce back next week in our home game against Glen Eira?.
The news for the Rovers Reserves was much better as they plucked off the Vultures in commanding fashion. With Anton Duddy bagging six goals and last weeks best on ground, James Hanlon, kicking four, the Rovers won 16.17.113 to Parkdales 5.4.34.
In other C section results, Ajax, who the Rovers defeated by 50+ points last weekend, defeated Emmaus St Leos by 9 goals. Other winners were Caulfield over Therry Penola, Melbourne High over Glen Eira and Old Camberwell over Monash Blues.
